Jerry Tipton
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Those who believe the college three-point line is too close to the basket will have an added interest in watching Kentucky play in the Maui Invitational next season.

The Maui Invitational, and other "exempt" events (games that don't count against the NCAA limit on schedules), will experiment with a three-point line ****her from the basket. Rather than the regulation line 19 feet, 9 inches from the basket, the "exempt" games will put the line 20 feet, 6 inches from the basket. The latter is the distance used in international play (the Olympics, World Championships, etc.).

UK Coach Tubby Smith and Indiana Coach Mike Davis welcomed the experiment. Smith noted the benefits of experimenting for the sake of experimenting. Davis half-jokingly wondered if his team might gain an edge.

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Purists might find it difficult to accept any three-point shot. Smith and Davis acknowledged that they can cringe watching a 3-on-2 or 2-on-1 fast break evolve into a long jumper.

"I have that same feeling," Davis said before adding, "unless they make the shot. We have guys who can really shoot the three. Sometimes it makes them play outside more. It probably hurts the development of players on the post and driving to the basket."

Smith echoed that sentiment.

"I'm from the old school," the UK coach said. "I'd much rather see players attack the basket and get easy baskets. But if you have players that can knock down the three, a three is better than a two."

Like many coaches around the country, Smith noted the need to also experiment with a larger three-second lane, either the wider NBA lane or the trapezoid lane used internationally.

The larger lane would "eliminate some of the physical post play, clean up some of the post play," the UK coach said, and give players "more space to operate." </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">